by Sheryl Lee
Zora gave herself a mental uppercut as she remembered she had felt it warm the first time she and Powers went to the scene and then her eyes widened as she made the leap. “Does the werewolf combust, or does the pendant cause the fire?”
Axel smiled again in approval. “Such a clever girl you are. You are partially correct. The pendant is part of the spell that enables you to combust a rogue. It will always burn hot in the presence of one and no other type of supernatural. You must never take it off, your ability will be severely hampered without it.”
Severely hampered, that seemed like a pretty big understatement to Zora but before she could make a snarky comment that was no doubt totally inappropriate to say to royalty anyway Axel had risen out of his chair and reached out a hand to her. “Come little Zora, it is time for some physical education. You have consumed far too much cake today, even with your extra requirements.”
Zora baulked, “The dishes, I should at least take them into the kitchen.”
Axel raised an eyebrow, “Excuses. Certainly, take the dishes into the kitchen. And then come back here. You have five minutes and I am timing you.” With that Axel checked his watch, and crossed his arms across his impressive chest. Zora gulped and hurried to comply. She really didn’t want to know what an irritated fairy prince would do to discipline a wayward defender. She began to gather up dishes and resigned herself to exercise in her near future.
An hour later Zora was cursing her own disinclination for exercise. She was hot, sweaty, and ached all over. Axel however was relaxed and not even sweating. Of course it was entirely possible that fairies did not sweat and since he was magical probably he didn’t even have to exert himself to do all this work – no doubt there was some neat fairy spell that made it possible without tiring him out at all. Although there was the fact of those impressive muscles which certainly didn’t look to be only the product of a spell, but who was she to know?
“Zora! Focus! In a real situation you can’t drift off like this.”
“Well in a real situation I would not be totally outclassed by a great big fairy with huge muscles who is probably doing all this by spellwork anyway!” As soon as the words were out Zora gulped and wished she could sink right into the ground. It was a rude thing to say even to a human, let alone to a magical royal fairy and Zora was never rude (well except to Powers but he deserved it).
Axel stared at her in shock, but to her intense relief instead of turning her into a frog, or (she shuddered) a snake, he erupted into a huge belly laugh. This of course brought Powers to his feet which was the first time she realised he had been sitting on the veranda watching them sparring.
“Oh little Zora, I do like you!” Picking up his shirt from the ground where he had carelessly thrown it when they began Axel pulled it over his head. Zora felt a small pang of regret as that magnificent chest was covered but quickly erased the thought as she remembered her ever present mind guest. Too late though she saw as Powers frowned darkly and stared at her in extreme disapproval.
“Oh come on Powers, I can admire a lovely work or art without wanting to own it!” Miffed, Zora spoke without thinking, her only thought that it was none of Powers’ business what she thought about Axel’s chest. Another laugh from Axel had her blushing in mortification.
“You see?! This is why I don’t exercise, my brain/mouth filter frizzles out.”
Zora stomped bad temperedly onto the veranda and collapsed with relief into the nearest chair. It felt good to be out of the sun. And what was that sparkling with promise on the table?
“Lemon juice with mint, I figured you would be thirsty.” Powers poured some into a tall chilled glass. The ice in the glass tinkled and cracked as the juice ran over it. Zora thought it was the most heavenly sound and reached eagerly for the glass, murmuring her thanks to Powers as he handed it to her. He smiled slightly and then turned to pouring another one for Axel.
“So how was the training Axel? Zora going to be up for it?” While his tone was light, there was an underlying current of seriousness that reminded Zora exactly what it was they were facing. She studied Axel’s face carefully as the fairy finished his drink in one large gulp. Wow, maybe he was hot after all.
“She will do well Powers, do not worry.” Holding out his glass for a refill Axel continued, “She has all the abilities, and she is strong. She could use some regular exercise but when it is required of her she will manage. However you must stay close to her at all times, she will need your strength. This is not a suggestion Powers, make sure you are always close to her once we leave here.”
Powers met Axel’s eyes and something unspoken and masculine passed between them. They nodded to each other and the subject was dropped. Zora, watching this byplay, was unsure whether to feel insulted or reassured. She decided to just ignore it as in practical terms it was going to be impossible anyway.
As she sat sipping her juice Zora’s attention was taken by a slight rippling effect in the corner of her eye. She turned her head to see more clearly. There it was, like a disturbance in the air. If you could see wind blowing Zora would have said it was that. Zora squinted, there seemed to be faint colours swirling and slowly intensifying. Her attention completely on what she was seeing Zora didn’t notice that both men had stopped talking and were watching her, Powers in confusion and Axel with amusement.
The colours were becoming easier to see, and began to separate into five distinct groups. She was looking at five rainbows, swirling and thickening. They were not all the same colours though. All had the same main colour of gold, with sprinkles of silver. Two of the five swirled with green, one with red, one with blue and one shifting shades of aqua that made her think of the colours of the Red Sea, or the waters off Mauritius. She really needed to take a holiday.
As she watched the five rainbows took form, and solidified into figures. Zora blinked, and on opening her eyes she saw five people standing there, three men and two women. The fairy guard she assumed. Axel strode forward while Powers moved to stand closer to Zora.
“You saw them materialise I’m guessing?”
Zora smiled at his resigned tone and replied quietly, “Yes, five rainbows that turned into these people. They are the fairy guard?” Although really that qualified as a superfluous question. The newcomers were all dressed in navy blue close fitting pants and shirts. Each uniform, for that was what they were, had piping in a rich dark gold. Each fairy looked rather lethal, even without any visible evidence of weaponry.
Axel finished greeting the guard and turned to Zora and Powers. “Little Zora, Powers, these are members of my mother the Queen’s personal guard.” Pointing to each one in turn he said, “This is Cameron, James, Arthur, Clare and Samantha.”
All five raised a hand in greeting, and then came forward to where Zora stood. To her astonishment they bowed before standing with their right hands on their hearts. The tallest one, a slender man with black hair and eyes spoke first. “Ma’am, I am Cameron, it is an honour to protect you.” One by one the others followed suit and Zora learned that the man with red hair and blue eyes was James, and the last man who had striking white blonde hair and ice blue eyes was Arthur. The two women were Clare (long straight auburn hair and unusual blue-green eyes) and Samantha (long, shiny black ringlets, pale brown eyes).
At a complete loss Zora smiled uncertainly at them all, intensely relieved when Powers offered coffee which was accepted with alacrity. She wondered how tiring it was to become a hazy rainbow and then reform as a person, or to turn into an animal for that matter. Of course Axel was hundreds of years old and she had yet to see him look tired. Zora shook her head, impatient with herself – they were supernatural beings, they had strengths and abilities that she knew nothing about. Changing skin or turning to mist was part of their nature so of course it wouldn’t tire them.
Abandoning the pointless line of thought she tuned in to the conversation that had continued without her. Dinner plans she soon realised. Looking about her Zora saw that the short northern du
sk was setting in. The ocean was turning into a dark mysterious shadow, made even darker by the white sand beach still glowing under the setting sun. Zora knew that soon it too would fade as the sun set behind the house. She had come out here onto the veranda last night, listening to the waves she could not see in the darkness and staring at the stars. She liked where she lived, close to a body of water called The Gooseponds, but it was really nice to be here so close to the beach. Not that she would ever admit that to Powers.
The man in question had come back out to the veranda with coffee for the newcomers. Axel cheerfully accepted a refill but Zora felt rather awash with coffee and tea and refused. Powers studied her carefully in the fading light. “You look pretty washed out Zora, it’s been a big day. Go inside and take a bath, you’ll feel better.”
“You don’t have a bath Powers.” But a shower sounded like a pretty good second best. Zora was suddenly reminded that she had recently been doing some intense exercise and probably did not smell the freshest. She reached casually behind her neck to scratch an imaginary itch and sniffed the air experimentally. Oh boy, she was ripe. “But I think I will take a shower.”
Powers stood as she did. “Actually, I do have a bath, in my ensuite. You can use that, soak out any muscle aches.”
Zora hesitated, on the one hand a bath sounded heavenly but on the other his ensuite? Way too intimate.
“No, it’s ok Powers, I’ll take a hot shower.”
Powers smiled as he led her inside. “It’s just a bath Zora. I won’t stay in the room, and you can even lock the door. I promise to keep my hands off you.”
Zora sniffed, as though he would be able to touch her anyway.
“Oh if I wanted to I could my girl, despite your new strength. Remember I am a guardian, I have abilities of my own.”
Zora was sufficiently intrigued by that to follow him to his bathroom without further argument. Powers had abilities too? What sort of abilities? Did he mean his shapeshifter thing, or something else? She forgot to ask exactly what as they reached his bedroom and she was brought back to her surroundings by the sight of his bed. It actually was very tasteful. It was a big bed yes, but Powers’ taste was simple and almost plain. He had a wooden bed with an intricate carved detail on the head. It was neatly made, with a quilt in earth tones pulled up to plump pillows. Turning her eyes away from the bed Zora entered the bathroom where Powers was busy drawing a bath for her. As she watched he reached for a packet of bath salts and poured a generous amount into the steamy water. The air filled with the scent of lavender, a scent completely incongruous in a bachelor bathroom.
“Lavender? Really?” Putting the box back on the shelf Powers replied, “Yes, lavender, it’s very good for relieving stress and anxiety. Used in the bath it helps to relax sore muscles. It also happens to be the scent of the salts I use after a workout.” Seeing her expression he added, “At the gym I mean.”
Zora pasted an innocent expression on her face. “Well of course the gym, what else would I be thinking?”
Sighing in a long suffering way Powers turned off the taps. “Well the bath is ready, you’d better go get some clothes to change into unless you plan to arrange yourself on my bed naked?”
Zora snorted, “In your dreams mate.” She flounced off, annoyed that she had bitten when she heard his laughter following her to her room. Rummaging around in her case Zora pulled out some comfortable shorts, a purple t-shirt and clean underwear before returning to the steamy bathroom. Even though the summer evening was hot, her muscles were almost crying out for a hot bath and after making sure the door was locked Zora stripped off and sank gratefully into the water. Powers had made it exactly right which was quite exasperating, but her muscles didn’t care what she thought.
Zora soaked away her aches which were more minor than she deserved. She supposed that was the effect of her enhanced healing ability. She began to think about the past few days, but the image of the werewolf looking directly at her and snarling silently filled her mind. Zora tried to believe that Axel was right and it didn’t see her – and really how could it? She wasn’t there. But then how could she ‘see’ any of that when she wasn’t there? And if she really had abilities beyond any other defender how could Axel be sure that the rules were the same? She shuddered at the thought. If the werewolf could actually see her it knew her face. It would know her and would undoubtedly try to kill her if (or when) they crossed paths.
Another very unwelcome thought occurred to her. Axel had assured her that she would know a rogue werewolf when she saw one, that her pendant would warn her. If that were so, would a werewolf know she was a defender also? Surely if the defenders had been going for hundreds of years the rogues had plenty of time to come up with a way of recognising an enemy. Zora thought again of the werewolf. It was so big, and so strong. She was sure she would not be able to protect herself if it came at her and her only real ability was available at one time of the day. So what if a werewolf attacked her at midday? What could she do then? What had possessed the fairies to think that dawn was the only time of day a werewolf would be a danger to a defender?
“Zora? You ok in there?”
Zora jolted back to her surroundings as she heard Powers voice on the other side of the door. She realised that her heart was pounding and her breath was coming too fast. And of course with this bond he knew and came to her. It was actually reassuring to know that, she could feel her heart settling back to a more normal rhythm.
“Zora! Stop analysing your heart rate and get out of there! We need to talk about a few things.”
Reassuring and really annoying. Zora got out of the bath and pulled the plug before towelling off (Powers’ towel because she forgot hers - a wet towel in his near future). She dressed quickly, opened the door in a cloud of lavender and bad temper and found him lounging on his bed. He patted the coverlet beside him invitingly. “Come sit, let’s chat.”
Zora eyed off the bed and Powers. “Here? Can’t we do it in the kitchen?”
“Sunny is in there ordering the fairy guard around and cooking dinner. She’s something else that girl.”
Surprised to feel a spurt of something that came mortifyingly close to jealousy Zora tried to shrug casually. “Then the lounge room, or the veranda? I know you have a light out there.”
“And sandflies and mosquitos too. Marcus and Axel are in the lounge room. Sunny procured his supplies and he prefers not to make humans uncomfortable.”
Zora stared uncomprehendingly at him for several seconds before the penny dropped. “Oh, right, Marcus is a vampire. So his supplies are…” She swallowed and felt a wave of dizziness at the thought.
“Yes, blood, which by the way he drinks from a wine glass. Don’t ever decide to sample his red wine. Come sit before you fall. Don’t worry, I’m not interested in your virtue. Not right now anyway.”
That brought Zora’s head up and the colour back into her cheeks. “You wish.” But she went and sat next to him (pushing aside the mental image of Marcus drinking blood from a wine glass and making a resolution to never drink red wine again).
“Zora I need to apologise to you. I keep forgetting how new to this world you are. So there are things that we all know except you.”
Zora groaned, “Oh great, I’m a super powerful completely ignorant defender. Wonderful.”
Powers smiled at her and took her hand. “Shapeshifters and the werewolves, they are not the same. Shapeshifters are not controlled by the moon like werewolves.” At her start of surprise he nodded, “Yes that myth is actually true. Werewolves are strongest at the full moon and the change comes onto them most easily at that time. They can change any night, once they are older and more in control of themselves. Werewolves change only to the wolf, and a wolf is nocturnal. So werewolves are also nocturnal.”
Zora looked at him, trying to understand his meaning. Powers sighed. “In other words, werewolves change only at night and at the dawn they change back. They are weakest just before the dawn. That is why the fair
ies gave the ability to the defenders at that time. So you will never be confronted by a werewolf during the day, only by the human form of them.”
Ohhhhh, right. Zora absorbed that information. “So werewolves only change at night. But shapeshifters can change at any time?”
“That’s right. We are not of the wolf, we are anything we wish to be. So we can change at any time. Shifters are also not tormented like the wolves, wolves are tied to the moon and they must change at the full moon whereas shifters don’t. A wolf cannot stop the change at the full moon, it must change no matter what. The wolf is controlled by the moon.” Seeing her look of confusion he continued, “A shifter can change, or not, at will. But a wolf must change at the full moon and sometimes when they change, they don’t change back fully, mentally the wolf is still in them.
Well actually the wolf is in all of them – all werewolves are as unpredictable as the animal itself - but for some of them more of the wolf remains even after they change back to human. Those ones feel that the wolf form is the real form and the human one is the weak one they change to. They become hunters, day and night. They feel that they are wolves, not men and women. Those are the ones who go rogue.”
Zora struggled to understand. “But when they change, when you change, you are the animal you change to?”
Powers traced imaginary circles on the back of her hand. “Yes, I become the animal, but underneath I am me, I retain my humanity. For some wolves, they become the wolf completely the first few times. And for a very few they have the wolf take over every time they change. And eventually they are always the wolf. Even in human skin they are the wolf.”
Zora shuddered as comprehension dawned. “So this werewolf, it is a wolf all the time? Day time as a human and night time as a wolf?”
Powers nodded, “That’s right. These wolves, they are so conflicted by the change and so controlled by the wolf that they are not rational, not as a human nor as a wolf.”